A year after leaving Istanbul under a cloud, the Super Eagles right-back reportedly wants back in, with his old coach now calling the shots at the club.
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Super Eagles right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel is said to be eager for a return to Fenerbahce, just a year after departing the Turkish giants for Birmingham City.
Fenerbahce have been active in the market this summer, appointing Ismail Kartal as successor to Zeki Murat Gole and completing the signing of striker Vedat Muriqi from Mallorca. According to Turkish outlet Milat Spor, the 28 year old defender has now sent intermediaries to explore a potential return to the club as well.
A Difficult Season In The Championship
Osayi-Samuel joined Birmingham City after his Fenerbahce contract expired last summer, but he could not help the Championship club secure promotion to the Premier League, and reports suggest he struggled to nail down a regular starting spot.
Why He Wants Back In
Osayi-Samuel first arrived at Fenerbahce from QPR in 2021, a move that gave him his first taste of continental football and turned him into a fan favourite at the club. His initial exit last year was widely put down to a stalled pay rise amid interest from England, though he later suggested in an interview that he had actually been satisfied with the club’s offer and that the move was driven more by issues with his agent, expressing regret over how his departure played out. A recent social media post also referenced Osayi-Samuel denying reports that he had personally demanded more money, saying he had instead parted ways directly with his agent over the matter.
Now, with limited game time at Birmingham weighing on him, he is reportedly keen to get back to a club where he enjoyed consistent minutes. His relationship with Kartal, under whom he played during his early years in Istanbul, adds further motivation, with the defender said to be hoping for a reunion now that the Turkish coach is back in charge.
Obstacles Still Stand In The Way
A return would not be straightforward. Osayi-Samuel still has two years left on his Birmingham City contract, meaning any move would require a transfer fee rather than a free switch. However, uncertainty around defender Nelson Semedo’s future at Fenerbahce could open a path if the Portuguese full-back departs this summer.
📌 Did You Know?
- Osayi-Samuel first moved to Fenerbahce from QPR in 2021, his first experience of continental European football.
- Birmingham City competed in the Championship last season but fell short of automatic promotion or play-off success.
- Vedat Muriqi, Fenerbahce’s other summer signing, arrives from Spanish side Mallorca.
- Nelson Semedo, whose Fenerbahce future is uncertain, previously played for Barcelona and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
- Osayi-Samuel remains a regular fixture in the Super Eagles’ defensive setup at right-back.
- Ismail Kartal previously managed Fenerbahce before this reported second spell in charge of the club.
